Opening of new fire station for Beatrice, drawing near

BEATRICE – From purchasing property, to grading the site, to building the project…it will be about two years when city officials dedicate a new Beatrice Fire and Rescue Station, a week from Saturday.

"It's been fun to watch it progress. It took a while to really see anything substantial going on, because of all of the grading and dirt work and everything else that had to be done. But, it's come into where it is today...and it looks nice."

Voters paved the way for the project with approval of an extra half-cent onto the local sales tax…a tax that’s paid both by residents within the community and from outside.  Space needs for today’s larger fire equipment and more modern quarters for fire and rescue crews were among the reasons for the project.

Mayor Stan Wirth says some finishing touches remain, including sprinkler installation and placing of sod around the facility.
"The biggest issue is going to be the mobilization of going from one department, to the other. That is something that is going to be critical because you don't want to have any kind of interruption in communications, or any kind of interruption of services. We'll navigate through that. There are other departments that have gone through this."

Wirth said the project has gone well, despite facing some delays that many projects have experienced during supply shortages.
"Just like there's a delay in getting materials for anyone who is in the construction business. You just had to sit back and wait until you got your roofing materials or any other materials. For the most part, it has gone well."

Hampton Commercial Construction has worked with several local subcontractors on the project, making it a good jobs creator.  "It's something I think the community is going to be extremely proud of..and I certainly hope they come and take a tour. It's not maybe the last time you'll ever take a tour of the facility, but this would be a good time to do it."

The ribbon cutting for the facility is Saturday, October 23rd at 10 a.m., followed by an open house and tours until noon. As for the old fire department in the lower level of the city auditorium in use since 1965…other city departments will be able to use fire bay space there, for storage of vehicles.